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23rd February 2024
02:20pm GMT
Sleeping during the colder nights can be difficult for your baby. They may be more restless than usual but there's one sleeping habit you need to avoid over the coming days.
Temperatures are expected to drop in Ireland but covering your little one in a duvet or other adult bedding is not recommended.
According to the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland, the safest way for your baby to sleep is in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as you.
It may be colder but layering blankets on your infant or putting a duvet over them is the wrong move as this can cause babies to overheat.
The PHA advised parents to layer up on their baby's clothes rather than covering them in a blanket or duvet.
The PHA has recommended putting a baby in a cot or Moses basket for the first six months of their life. It is advised to keep the baby in the same room as you until they're around six months old.
The PHA also suggests: "Place your baby to sleep on their back in the ‘feet to foot’ position (feet touching the bottom of the cot)
You should also use a light blanket firmly tucked no higher than the baby’s shoulders and a clean, firm, well-fitting mattress.
Parents should avoid sleeping with their baby on an armchair or a sofa. You also should never allow your baby to share a bed with anyone who has been smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking drugs, including medication.
You should never let your baby sleep on their tummy as this can increase the risk of cot death. Always place your baby on their back when it is bedtime.
